Remote controlled device for inserting and extracting primers for large bore guns



Dec. 18, 1934. METHUN 1,985,185

REMOTE CONTROLLED DEVICE FOR INSERTING AND EXTRACTING PRIMERS FOR LARGE BORE GUNS Filed Dec. 15, 1933 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 N. E. M HLlN 1,935,185 TROLLED DE E FOR INSERTING AND NG PRIMERS FOR LARGE BORE GUNS Filed Dec. 13, 19553 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 18, 1934.

REMOTE CON EXTRAGTI Dec. 18, 1934. N E. METHLIN REMOTE CONTROLLED DEVICE FOR INSERTING AND 'EXTRACTING PRIMERS FOR LARGE BORE GUNS Filed Dec.

15, 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 9511 Wow,

Dec. 18, 1934.

N. E. METHLIN REMOTE CONTROLLED DEVICE FOR INSERTING AND EXTRACTING PRIMERS FOR LARGE BORE GUNS 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 13, 1935 REMOTE CONTROLLED DEVICE FOR INSERTING AND EXTRACTING PRIMERS FOR LARGE BORE GUNS Filed Dec. 15, 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 18, 1934. N E, METHUN 1,985,185

Dec. 18, 1934. METHUN 1,985,185

REMOTE CONTROLLED DEVICE FOR INSERTING AND EXTRACTING PRIMERS FOR LARGE BORE GUNS Filed Dec. '13, 1953 8 SheetsSheet 6 REMOTE CONTROLLED DEVICE FOR INSERTING AND Dec. 18,1934. N METH N 1,985,185

EXTRACTING FRIMERS FOR LARGE BORE GUNS .Filed Dec. 13, 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Dec. 18, 1934. METHUN 1,985,185 7 REMOTE CONTROLLED DEVICE FoR INSERTING AND EXTRACTING PRIMERS FOR LARGE BORE GUNS Filed Dec.- 13, 1955 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented Dec. 18, 1934 LARGE BORE GUNS Nicolas Emili enlMethlin, Paris, France, assignor to Schneider"& Cie,

Paris, Francefiailimited joint-stock company of France H V Application Dec H h i 110mm,: v The French Letters Patent No, 7l5,393 and the British LettersPatentNo. 372,984 describe a device for inserting' andextracting primers .by

meansof a mechanism independent of the movemerits of opening and"closingrthebreech, the said device comprising for this purposexa flexible or telescopic transmission originating from-a point independent of the breech block andits carrier andileadingttoa" mechanism carried .by the said breech block carrier. The said mechanism come prisesa seriesof cams, the successive operation of which bring into action corresponding lever mechanisms, producing-the disengagement of the firing: bolt/the extra'ctionof the fired primer, the

" conveyance of a new primer in order to place it in thezaxis of the firing duct, followed by driving 'the;primer.in this duct, means, being provided for the consecutive return of the mechanisms actuated by the various camszinto their initial positions, the device for conveying the primers receiving automatically, as a result of thisreturnmovee m'ent, anewprimer. J g

fIhe, present invention relates to a particular constructional form of the mechanism comprising the elements referred to in the foregoing. In this constructional form, a simplification hof 'the whole of the mechanism is provided by the fact that themembers, thesuccessive operationof which brings into actionlthevarious lever 'mechanisms ,for the" operations enumerated, are so constituted as to ensure, in the movement, which is impartedto them by the-actuating mechanism, the accomplishment of thevarious functionsnecessary for the insertion.- extraction; and convey ance of a primer, and so forth, and also the :consecutive v return of the same members to. their initial position, thereby dispensing withthe use of returnsprings. I V

Various other modifications or improvements indetail which the new invention comprises will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, ,in which:

Figure, l is an end elevation of agun, showing in theclosed position of the breech, the elements of the breech (breech block carrier and movable head) carrying the various devices for the disengagement. of ,the firing bolt, the extraction of theprimer, the conveyance of the new primer, and the insertion of the latter, as;well.as the primer magazine and that porti'on of the transmission originating from a point independent of ,thebreech block and .its;c arrier to which the presentrinvention relates. l V I 1 new .41 a n tar ecmm tak along th l ne llw-fl in-F r H n 1ber 13, 1933, seria1,N -r02,253 In France January 27, 1933 r A (c1. axe-2i) =Figure 3 isa partial elevation correspondingto Figure'l'; A 1

Figureis' a part sectional elevation showing the extractor combined with a box fo'r ejected primers according to the present'invention. Y Figure-1a is a part sectional elevation taken along the line 1a -1'a in Figure 1. a

'Figure'4a is a view in plan of the box for ejected primersfitted to the primer conveying member. 'Figures 5 and 6 show diagrammatically, in two operative positions, the device for disengagingthe firing bolt. Y

Figures 7 to 11, show diagrammatically the primer extracting mechanism.- Figures 'l, 8 and 10 show the said mechanism in longitudinal elevation, plan and side elevation, respectively, the members being shown the position which they occupy before extraction, while FiguresQ and 11 show the same members inthe positionwhich they occupy at the completiono'f automatic extraction.- I f -Figure8a is a part horizontal section showing in detail, inter alia, the inclined plane on which the extractor; tail bears during the extraction movement. 1 1 7 Figures 10a and 11a show diagrammatically the members in two different positions when extraction is effected by hand with the aid of one of the supplementary devices-to which the present invention relates. V a j l Figures 12 and 13 show diagrammatically the primer conveyingdevice in two diflfer'ent operative positions. j V

Figures 14 to l9 show diagrammatically the mechanism for inserting the primer intothfirjing duct. Figures 14, 15- and 16 show the initial position in longitudinal elevation, horizontal section and sectional side elevation,respectively, while Figures 17, 18 and 19 are corresponding views showing the members in the'position which .they occupy when the primer has been inserted; :The telescopic or flexible transmission, operated manuaIIy by meansof a member mounted on the cradle, leads to a common shaft12 carrying keyed on it the various members which, during the rotation; of. the controlling handwheel, ensure the successive operation of the lever mechanisms producing the disengagement of the firing bolt, the extraction of the fired primer,the con- .veyance of anew primer in order to place it in the axis of the firing duct, followed by driving the-primer in the said duct. i

The constructional form according to the present invention is essentially characterized by the tact thatithe various: members carried by'the shaft 12, in the form of suitably profiled discs 4-5, 6--7, 8-9, 10-11 each act by one of their profiles (4, 6, 8, 10) on one of the two profiles of a corresponding member carried by the actuating push rod intended to accomplish one of the functions, enumerated in the foregoing, of the .entire transmission, the" said discs acting 'by their second profile (5, '7, 9, 11) on the second profile of the corresponding member carried by the movement transmitting rod. It'will be appreciated at once that both the forward and return movement of the push rods is thus obtained without the use of springs. r r i I The discs with two profiles ,actsuccessively as pushing members for the forward movement, then as pulling members for the return movement, upon the associated member possessing two corresponding profiles and constituting a-push rod on the forward movement, while being driven-- on the return movement.

The firing bolt raising and lowering mechanism, which is shown in two operative positions in Figures and, 6, comprises,;,a s stated inthe foregoing, a disc with two profiles 4, 5, keyedto the shaft 12-and co-operating with a push memher which is driven on the return movement. As shown by the figures, this member may be constructed inthe form of a frame carried on one end of apush rod 27 and one of'its arms comprises a boss a co-operating with one of the profiles 4 of the disc 4-5, while its other arm carries a boss a co-operating with a nose 5 on the profile 5 of the same disc. v i a The push rod 2'7, during the rotation of the breech, drives the firing bolt by means of a connecting rod orby levers 28 and 29, between which is disposed a resilient connecting rod 30, thereby ensuring the usual safety of firing as long as the breech is not completely closed.

On each revolution of the shaft 12, the rod 27 makes a forward and return movement, the forward movement being 1 determined by the action of the profile 42.011 theboss a whilethe return movement is ensured-by thev frame being driven by the nose 5 acting upon the profile c of course, the return is facilitated by the action of the spring of the resilient connecting rod.30.

. The primer extracting mechanism is similarly constituted. This mechanism is shown in detail in'Figures '7 to 11' inclusive. A disc with two profiles (6-77) actsupon a corresponding frame with two profiles carried. by a rod in two parts 31-32. On the forward movement, the nose 6 of the profile 6.act s upon the boss a carried-by one of the arms of the frame. The extractor 33 first of all bears onIth'erear face of the breech block by a flange 33 for the primer loosening movement, and then bears on thepivot pin 37, on which it is mounted'by means of a slot. The rod 32--31, by means of its-inclined plane 32, will have pushed the tail 33 of the extractor. As soon as the extractor tail 33 leaves the inclined plane 32*, and since a pawl 38 (Figures 8 and 8a) prevents it from making a forward movement, it compresses the spring 35 and the counterspring 36 which'will drive the tail 33 into the recess 32 as soon as'the said extractor tail has left the said pawl. The extractorbears on the pivot 37 and the primer is forcibly extracted during the entering movement of the tail 33 into recess 32 (Figure 11) As shown in Figure 4, the extracted primer is expelled into a' box 40 carried by the conveyor device '44, to which the said box isfixed'by-arms 40 (Figures 3 and 12) and with which it pivots about the pin 49 (Figure 1a); 9i

the primers by rebound or during the movements of the member 44.

During the movement of rotation of the shaft 12, the rod 31 is returned to its initial position by the action ofthe profile a on the profile '7 of the frame of the said rod.

During this return movement the spring pawl '33 is retracted by bearing on the extractor tail,

and at the same time the extractor is driven by the projection 38* and returns into its initial position at the entrance to the inclined plane 32 (Figure 8).. H h

According to the present'invention, a device is provided for the extraction of primers by hand. This mechanism comprises a lever 34, whichis locked by a spring bolt39 during theoperationof the automatic extractiondevice. V

. Thespring bolt by locking'the lever 34 ensures at the same time the locking of .the pin 3'? about which the extractor 33 rotates foraautomatic operation. I f 1 The manual operating lever comprisesa fork, the arms of which in the form of discs 34 are keyed eccentrically on the .pin- 37.. In'manual operation, this pin, which due to the. retraction of the bolt 39 is no longer locked, is guided in two horizontal grooves 59 carried by a support 59 integral with the movable head or fmushroom" of the breech block (Figures 3, 4, a and 11a).

-Furthermore,the discs 34 are guided vertically in slides 59 provided in thesame support. In themovement for raising the lever 34, forv manual operation, the pin 37 first of all makes anidle movement in the slot 33 (Figure 10a) of the extractor 33, then it drives the extractor 33 by the end of the said slot (Figure 11a) I During this movement the extractor bears the inclined plane 32 by its tail 33 The device also comprises a combined mechanism for conveying and inserting the primer. This mechanism comprises, on the rear end of a rod 42, a frame with two profiles 8 and 9 cooperating with the profiles a and a of discs 8 and 9. The rod carrying the frame is made in two parts connected together bya resilient connection '43 actuating the primer conveying member 44. 1

'When the extractor has returned into its initial position, the disc 8 displaces by its nose 8 the frame and the rod 42, thus causing the primer conveying member 44 to'turnab'out its pivot '49, the primer being thus brought opposite its lodgment. By its face 8 the disc 8 maintains the member 44 in its position "for permitting the primer inserting movement and the return of the push rod which, as will be seen presently, has produced this insertion. Then'the nose 9* of the disc 9, bearing on the projection 11 of the frame, returns' the latter and the rod 42 into their initial position, the profile 9 of the disc maintaining the frame in that position. Due to the resilient connection 43, the conveyor member 44 is always given thesame extremepositions.- i v The primer inserting mechanism also comprises a frame on the end'of fapush rod 45, the arms of which frame have profiles co -operating with those of the two discs lfl-and"llgso'asto produce "alternately i the fforward and return movements of 1 the" frame-carrying rod and to maintain the framein the extremepositions; 46 shows the primer'piisher whose s'uppor't l'l is Operated by the rod45. 48"is'- a resilie'nt abut-Z mentfor the pusher-46; v

As shown in Figures 12 and 13',"the primer con veying device 44, which rotatesabout the pivot 49, carries in its upper part twopivdted jaws 50 between 1 which the primer'fis' i positioned, 1 a spring 51 ensuring a slight olamping of the jaws on the said primerl The primer is held guided between the jaws until the moment at which the pusher 46 opens the latter ,-"that is to sayffor about two-thirds of the distance the primer is driven home. Theprimer conveying member comprises in its upper portionsTa-boss' 44 permanently in contact with the next primer, that is to say, the lowermost primerf the magazine which will take the place of theprimer heldqby the jaws after this latter primer has been inserted. The pusher 46 is pivoted at 46eto plates 44? forming bearingsi;

The pusher 46 firstofflall followsthe rnove ment of translation ofthe member 44, the two actuating frames'moving together infthef first part of the movemen'tlf It isf then pushedby'the rod 45 carrying algroove' obliging it to rock for driving in the primer. Like the members offthe mechanisms previously described; the primer. inserting mechanism isjreturned, into its initial position by the :combined device of frames and discs with ,two profiles. The primer conv'eylng member, asjwas, seen in the foregoing, is returned into itsinitial position below the loader,

while thefiring bolt hasjjbeenlowered into its firing position. by theleorresponding mechanism;

As shown by Figure 4," there is provided"ac-' cording to the invention a spring bolt; 58 mounted in a recess in the movable head, and'ensuring automatically merely by bearingfrictionthe retention of the prim r, assoon as the latterhas been inserted into itsflodgment; a.nose j58 on the said boltbearingfor this purpose on thelriin of the primer.

What is claimed isz-afl i V 1. In a remote controlled device forinsertin'g and extracting the primers of large bore guns of the type including as elements afiring' belt, a primer extractor; a primer carrier and a primer inserting pusher member, means foractuating said elements in proper sequence to effect the loadingand extraction of primers comprising a plurality of means each operatively'connected with one of said elements and,ad aptedfwhen moved inlone direction to cause ,its"associated element to perform its intended ,func'tion'bLnd when moved in the opposite direction to return said element toits normal fat restfposition, an,

actuating rod connected tov each of said means, a driving cam associated with each ofsaid'rods, each of said cams having a pair ofproiiles co operating with a correspondingrpair, of follower members carried by the associated actuating rod, a common shaft on which all cream cams'ar'e mounted, and transmission meansfo'r rotating said shaft from aremote. controlling point, said cam profiles and follower'members being so constructed and arranged that rotation of said shaft in one direction positively moves said rods in both directions and in proper sequence to effect the primer extracting and inserting operations.

2. In a remote controlled device for inserting and extracting the primers of large bore guns of the type including as elements-a firing bolt,

a rim rextracto aprimer carrier-and a primer inserting {pusher member,"means for actu'ating said e'lnients in proper sequence 'to-eifect the loading and'extraction of primers comprising a plurality of means-each operatively connected with one of said elements andada'pted when indved'in one direction tocause its associated element to perform its intended function and when moved? in the opposite direction to return said elemeht toits'normalat rest position, an actuating rod iconnected to'each of said means, adriving cam associated with each of said rods, each of said cams having a pair of profiles cooperating Twith a corresponding pair of Efollower memberscarried by the associated actuating rod, a common shaft on which-all of said cams are mounted, and transmission means for rotating said shaft from a remote controlling point, said cam profiles and follower members being so constructed and arranged that rotation of said shaft inbne'directi n positively moves' said rods in one dire'ction by' cooperation between one set of profiles and follower members and'in the opposite direction by cooperation between the other setQand inpro'per sequence to efiect the primer extracting and" inserting operations.

'B'S'Tn'a remote controlled device for inserting and extracting primers in and from the breech blocks of large bore guns, a primer extractor mounted for pivotal movement abouta pivot pin passing through said extractor at a point intermediate its ends, oneend of said extractor being adapted to engagethe primer, means operatively connectedtosaid extractor for moving it about saidpivot pin whenfsaid means areactuated from tli'remo te controlling position, a member connected: to said-'pivet; pin and adapted to operate said 'extracter, independently of said remotely aetuatable means, said'member being actuatable froma pointcloselyadjacent the gun, and means normally lockingfsaid member and pivot pin in afixed' position relativeto the breech block and thereby providing a fixed fulcrum for said extractor during actuation from said remote controlling position.

In a re ote controlled device for-inserting andextracting primers in and from the breech block's of' large bore guns, a primer extractor mounted for'pivotal movement about a pivot pin passing through said' extractor at a point intermediate. its ends, one end of said extractor being adapted to engagethe primer, means operatively connected to the other end of said extractor for moving'it about said pivot pin when said means are actuated from the remote controlling position,"a member connected to said pivot pin for moving said extractor about its last mentioned end as a fulcrum to extract the primer independently of said remotely actuatable means, said member" being actuatable from a point closely adjacent'the gun, and means normally locking said member and pivot pin in a fixed position relative to the breech block and thereby providing, a fixed fulcrum for said extractor during actuation from said remote controlling position. I 1,5.-In a remote controlled device for inserting and extracting primers in and from the breech blocks'of large bore guns, a primer extractor mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot pin passing through said extractor at a point intermediate its ends, the upper end of said extractor being adapted to engage the primer, means operatively connected to the lower end of said extractor for moving it about said pivot pin when said means are actuated from the remote contrclling positioma member mounted on saidpivot pin and carrying a cam formed eccentricallywith said pin; said cam being so arranged that movement of said member about said pin as anaxis brings the cam-into engagementwith a surface fixed with respect to the breech blockof the gun, moves said pin outwardly from the. breech block and thereby moves said extractor about its lower end as a fulcrum to extract theprimer independently of said remotely actuatable means, said member being actuatable from a point closely adjacent the gun, and'means normally lockingsaid member. in a fixed position relative to the breech block and thereby constituting said-pin a fixed fulcrum for said extractor during actuationfrom said remote controlling position. l 6. In a remote controlled device for inserting and extracting primersin and from the breech blocks-of large bore guns, a primer extractor mounted for pivotal movementabout a pivot pin passing through said extractor at apointintermediate its ends, the upper end of said extractor being adapted to engage the primer, means-operatively connected to the lower end of said extractor for moving it about said pivot pin when said means are actuated fromthe remote controlling position, a manually actuatable lever fixed on said pivot pin and carrying a cam-formed eccentrically with said pin, said cam being so arranged that movement of said lever about said pinas a fulcrum brings the cam into engagement with a surface fixed with respect to the breech block of the gun, moves said pin outwardly from the breech block and thereby moves said .extractor about its lower end as a fulcrum to extract the primer independently of said remotely actuatable means, said lever being actuatable from a point closely adjacent the gun, andmeans normally locking said lever in a fixed'position relative to the breech block and thereby constituting said pin a fixed fulcrum for said extractor during actuation from said remote controlling position. I v

7. In a remote controlled device for inserting and extracting primers in and from; the breech blocks. of large bore guns, a primer extractor mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot pin passing through said extractor at a point intermediate its ends, the upper end of said extractor being adapted to engage the primer, means operatively connected to the lower end of said ex'-. tractor for moving it about said pivot pin when saidmeans'a're actuated from the remote con,- trolling position, a manually actuatable lever having a forked end, the arms of said forkv beingv in the form'of cam discs secured'to said pivot pin eccentrically with respect thereto, said cam discs being so arranged that movement of. said. lever about said pin as a fulcrum brings the discs into engagement with a surface fixed with respect to the breech block of the gun, moves said pin outwardly from the breech block and thereby moves said extractor about its lower end as a fulcrum to extract the primer independentlyof said remotely. actuatable means, said lever being actuatable from'a point closely adjacent the gun, and means normally locking said lever in a fixed position relative to the breech block and thereby constituting said pin a fixed fulcrum for said-extractor during actuation from said remote controlling position. v v a 8. In a device for inserting and extracting primers in and from the primer duct of a gun, an extractor, a magazine for unfired primers, a primer carrier adapted to convey primers from said magazine to a loading position in line with the primer duct, said carrier normally being positioned adjacent the magazine and out of line with said duct, and means for catching andretaining primers removed from said duct by said extractor, said means normally being positioned in line with and adjacent said duct but movable out of said position to permit movement of said carrier to primer loading position. I

9. In a device a for inserting and extracting primers in andv from the primer duct of a gun, an extractor, a magazine for unfired primers, a primer carrier adapted to convey primers from said magazine to a loading p'osition in line with the primer duct, said-carriernormally being -1 sitioned adjacent the magazine and out of line with said du ct, and a container movable with said carrier for catching and retainingprimers re-; moved from said-duct by said extractor, said con-f tainer normally being positioned in line with and adjacent said duct but movable outof saidposi: tion upon movement of said carrier to primer loading position. .f

10. In a device for inserting and extracting primers in and from the primer duct of a gun, an extractor, a magazine for unfired. primers, a primer carrier adapted to convey primers from said magazine to a loading position in line with the primer duct, said carrier normally being .positioned adjacentthe magazine and out of line with said duct, a container for catching primers removed from said duct by said extractor, and means associated with said container permitting free entrance thereinto of. the extracted primers'but preventing their escape therefrom, said container normally being 'positionedin line with and adjacent said duct but movable out of said position upon movementof said carrier to primer loading position. 7 Y a 11. In a device for inserting andextracting primers in and from the primer duct of a gun, an extractor, a magazine for unfired primers, a primer carrier adaptedto convey primers from said magazine to a loading position'in'line' with the primer duct, said carrier normally being'positioned adj acent' the magazine and out of linewith said duct, a container movable with said carrier and having an opening for catching primers removed from said duct by said extractor, inwardly opening flap means for said container opening, and means yieldably urging said flap means to closed position, whereby the extracted primers are permitted free entrance into said container but are prevented from Qescaping therefrom through said opening, said container normally being positioned with its opening in line with and adjacent said primer duct but movable out of said position upon movement. of said carrier to primer loading position.

NICOLAS VEIMILIEN METHLIN. 

